The Rise of the Writers of the Republic of China

This is the first time that Zhou Hexuan has held a school affairs meeting in a serious manner since Zhou Hexuan became the president of Peking University.

In addition to Zhong Guangguan, Tan Xihong, Ma Heng, Ma Yuzao, Li Shuhua and others who participated in the meeting, there was also Zhou Zuoren whom Zhou Hexuan had not met last year.

Zhou Zuoren wears glasses and has a beard on his mouth. He looks about six or seven points like Lu Xun, but his figure is much stronger.

There are three biggest impressions of Zhou Zuoren in later generations: one is that he and Lu Xun are blood brothers;

But many people may not be aware that Zhou Zuoren also wrote essays at the beginning, which he himself called "articles on current affairs". Not only did he write essays, but his speech was quite sharp, with a certain degree of criticism and advancement.

However, after Zhang Zuolin sent troops to surround Peking University and arrested progressives wantonly, Zhou Zuoren gave up.

Later, when compiling and publishing the anthology, Zhou Zuoren deleted a large number of old works of miscellaneous essays, for fear that the excessive articles would offend the authorities. Moreover, his writing style has gradually changed, from being keen on criticizing current affairs to indulging in romance.

A "fighter" becomes a "hermit" in this way, and even becomes a cultural traitor in the end.

Zhou Hexuan sat in the chairman's seat, smiled and said to everyone: "I am incompetent as the principal, and I have to work hard for the usual school affairs."

"Where, thank you, Principal Zhou, for letting go." Zhong Guanguang said immediately.

Everyone also echoed, after all, Zhou Hexuan paid his own salary, and everyone owed him favors.

Zhou Hexuan added: "The main reason for holding this meeting today is money. To be honest, I don't have the ability to ask for money from the Ministry of Education, and I can't get the Gengzi indemnity for the time being. But the school has to go on, and the teachers can't do it for nothing. , so we must find a way to open source."

"How to open source?" Ma Yuzao laughed, "You can't let everyone do business."

"If you can do business, that would be great," Zhou Hexuan said. "Peking University is a well-known university in the country. This is a big advantage. You have to find a way to make money. My idea is, let's set up a publishing house."

Zhong Guanguang answered, "Peking University has a publishing department, but it doesn't make much money. It would be nice to maintain a balance of income and expenditure."

Peking University does have a publishing department, which not only publishes the school magazine, but also publishes many progressive publications, including some red propaganda books.

Because of this, Li Xinbai, the director of Peking University's publishing department, was wanted last year and hid in his wife's natal home for a year. Now he works as a teacher in a middle school in Nanjing under his name.

Why can't Peking University Publishing Department make money?

Just look at the publications it publishes.

"Chinese International Law", "History of Western Ethics", "Phoneology of Literature", "Introduction to Indian Philosophy"... are all academic journals, the sales volume is not large, and it is only hell to make money.

Teachers at Peking University have written many best-selling books. For example, Lu Xun's works sold well in the past. However, these popular and progressive publications were robbed of business by Peking University Xinchao Publishing House. It was originally an academic society, but now it has developed into a well-known publishing house with its headquarters in Shanghai.

Zhou Hexuan said: "I would like to make two suggestions. I want to develop the publishing department of Peking University. One is to insist on academic publishing, including the publication of textbooks. I will contact the Hope Education Foundation when I go back. Starting next year, all textbooks for Hope Primary School will be published by Peking University. Anyone who has connections can also contact universities, middle schools and primary schools around the world to take over their teaching material publishing business. The second point is to develop popular bestseller business. It doesn’t matter if it is a mandarin duck and butterfly school, or five The Four New Literary Novels can be published by the Peking University Publishing Department. This is a very profitable business. Everyone is a scholar, so they may disdain to talk about money. But the current situation is that Peking University is struggling and needs money to continue. "

All present are silent, this is a very sad thing, the most famous university in China actually wants a group of professors to discuss how to do business.

Zhong Guanguang is the acting principal, so he had to express his opinion on this, and immediately said: "I think President Zhou's suggestion is feasible, but we need to find a professional who understands business operations to serve as the director of Peking University's publishing department."

"This is easy," Zhou Hexuan said with a smile, "directly apply to the newspaper for recruitment, and say that there is a vacancy for the director of the publishing department of Peking University. Anyone with ability and experience can apply. If you have suitable candidates, you can recommend them."

Zhou Zuoren said: "Li Xiaofeng has managed Beixin Bookstore well. He also graduated from Peking University. Why not let him serve as the director of the publishing department of Peking University."

"Not right," Zhou Hexuan waved his hand immediately, "I have seen this person before, he is too philistine. Moreover, he is very close to some wanted scholars, which is likely to provoke Zhang Zuolin's dissatisfaction."

Zhou Zuoren no longer speaks. He has become more and more silent in the past year, rarely expressing his opinions publicly.

"Let's vote with a show of hands. If you agree to openly recruit the director of the publishing department, please express your opinion." Zhong Guang said.

Everyone looked at each other, and more than 90% of them raised their hands in favor. They were so worried about money that they couldn't sleep.

"Very good, everyone is very united," Zhou Hexuan said with a smile, "My "The Legend of Condor Heroes" has been handed over to Lili Bookstore for publication, but "Yi Tian Tu Long Ji", which has just started serialization recently, can ask Peking University Publishing Department to help run it .”

Tan Xihong said: "Principal Zhou has been a great help. Now that your novel is being read all over the city, you will definitely not worry about sales."

Zhou Hexuan took out another mechanical drawing and said: "This is the agricultural harvester I imagined, which can harvest rice and wheat. Its main body is made of wood, and only a few parts are made of steel. It is very convenient to manufacture and repair, and the cost and price It is also cheap and suitable for China's small-scale peasant economy. But this is only a hypothesis, and it needs professionals who understand machinery to carry out trial and error improvements. I donate this drawing to Peking University. You let engineering students form a scientific research and development department. As long as there is a finished product , you can find businessmen to cooperate, and you should be able to make money.”

Everyone circulated this blueprint, and Zhong Guangguan praised: "It's a good idea. If this kind of machine is produced, it will greatly speed up agricultural harvesting. Especially in the case of heavy rain, with this kind of harvester, it will save farmers a lot. Loss. This is a move that benefits the country and the people, and I personally agree."

"I agree too!" Others raised their hands one after another.

Zhong Guanguang smiled and said, "I am too old to be talented, so I am willing to serve as the director of the Science Research and Development Department of Peking University."

"That's just right." Zhou Hexuan said happily.

Zhong Guangguang is not only a botanist, he also designed the factory production line when he was young.

Zhou Hexuan continued: "I hope that Peking University's Science Research and Development Department can exist as a group organization for a long time. The teachers and students of engineering can use their ingenuity and wisdom to make inventions and creations with their professional knowledge. Maybe Peking University can produce a few more. Edison-esque character."

"I agree!"

"I agree too!"

"..."

The proposal passed unanimously.

Zhou Hexuan didn't know that the product of his whim would develop extremely brilliantly in the future. In the 21st century, Peking University's "Scientific Research Department" became one of China's top scientific research groups. Later, Peking University erected a bronze statue for Zhou Hexuan in front of the laboratory building.